IAF Opens First Dronathon-2026 at Pokhran Firing Range
Air Marshal Ashutosh Dixit inaugurated the first Indian Air Force Dronathon-2026 at the Pokhran Field Firing Range and released the IAF UAS Roadmap for industry.
Why in News
On 14 September 2026 the Vice Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Ashutosh Dixit, inaugurated the first Indian Air Force Dronathon-2026 at the Pokhran Field Firing Range and released the IAF UAS Roadmap.
The Indian Air Force opened the first edition of Dronathon-2026. Air Marshal Ashutosh Dixit, the Vice Chief of the Air Staff, inaugurated it. The venue is the Pokhran Field Firing Range in Jaisalmer, Rajasthan. Senior officers of the Ministry of Defence and of Headquarters Integrated Defence Staff attended the opening. Representatives of the Indian Army and the Border Security Force were also present.
What Dronathon is
Dronathon is an initiative of the Air Force to deal directly with India's unmanned systems industry. Its purpose is to test new technologies in real operating conditions rather than on paper. The event runs for three days, from 14 to 16 September 2026. More than 20 leading defence companies are taking part. Start-ups, micro, small and medium enterprises, defence public sector undertakings and individual innovators have also joined.
What is being demonstrated
Participants are showing their Unmanned Aircraft Systems and related technology at the range. The demonstrations cover surveillance and reconnaissance. They also cover autonomous operations and swarm technologies. Electronic warfare and Counter Unmanned Aircraft Systems are part of the display. The stated aim is to move from showing a technology to proving its effect in operations. Systems are being judged on reliability and on how they hold up in contested conditions.
Vayu UTtaM and the UAS Roadmap
On the opening day the Air Force demonstrated Vayu UTtaM. This is an indigenously developed multi mode Unmanned Traffic Management system. During the live demonstration at Pokhran it detected and tracked both military and civil unmanned aircraft. It is designed to manage drone traffic in crowded airspace and to spot rogue or unauthorised drones in time. Its use could extend beyond the military to airspace safety, critical infrastructure, civil aviation and public safety. The Vice Chief of the Air Staff also released the IAF UAS Roadmap, which tells Indian industry what capabilities the force will need.
The event at a glance
| Event | Indian Air Force Dronathon-2026, the first edition |
| Venue | Pokhran Field Firing Range, Jaisalmer, Rajasthan |
| Inaugurated by | Air Marshal Ashutosh Dixit, Vice Chief of the Air Staff |
| Duration | Three days, 14 to 16 September 2026 |
| Participants | More than 20 leading defence companies, plus start-ups and MSMEs |
| Document released | IAF UAS Roadmap |
| System demonstrated | Vayu UTtaM, an indigenous traffic management system for drones |
Important Facts
| Event | Indian Air Force Dronathon-2026, first edition |
|---|---|
| Venue | Pokhran Field Firing Range, Jaisalmer, Rajasthan |
| Inaugurated by | Air Marshal Ashutosh Dixit, Vice Chief of the Air Staff |
| Dates | 14 to 16 September 2026, three days |
| Participants | More than 20 leading defence companies, start-ups, MSMEs and DPSUs |
| Document released | IAF UAS Roadmap |
| System demonstrated | Vayu UTtaM, indigenous multi mode Unmanned Traffic Management system |
| Also present | Officers of the Ministry of Defence, HQ IDS, Indian Army and BSF |
Exam Point of View
Remember that this is the first Dronathon, the venue (Pokhran Field Firing Range, Jaisalmer), who inaugurated it (Vice Chief of the Air Staff Ashutosh Dixit), the dates, the document released (IAF UAS Roadmap) and the system demonstrated (Vayu UTtaM).
Practice Questions
Where was the first Indian Air Force Dronathon-2026 inaugurated?
- A.Pokhran Field Firing Range, Jaisalmer
- B.Air Force Station Hindan, Ghaziabad
- C.Chandipur Test Range, Odisha
- D.Suryalanka Firing Range, Andhra Pradesh
Show answer
The Vice Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Ashutosh Dixit, opened the first edition of Dronathon there, and the same range hosted the live demonstration of the indigenous traffic management system Vayu UTtaM on the opening day.
Read the full explanation →What is 'Vayu UTtaM', demonstrated by the Indian Air Force at Dronathon-2026?
- A.A long range armed drone
- B.An indigenous Unmanned Traffic Management system
- C.A new air to air missile
- D.A satellite for weather forecasting
Show answer
Vayu UTtaM is described as an indigenously developed multi mode system, and during its real time demonstration at the Pokhran range it detected and tracked both military and civil unmanned aircraft.
Read the full explanation →Who inaugurated Dronathon-2026 and which document was released on the occasion?
- A.The Chief of Defence Staff; the Joint Doctrine on Drones
- B.The Vice Chief of the Air Staff; the IAF UAS Roadmap
- C.The Defence Minister; the Defence Acquisition Procedure
- D.The Chief of the Air Staff; the Air Power Doctrine
Show answer
The officer holding that post is Air Marshal Ashutosh Dixit, and he both opened the event and put out the roadmap, which is meant to give Indian industry a clearer view of the capability priorities of the Air Force.
Read the full explanation →Frequently Asked Questions
Where was the first Indian Air Force Dronathon held?
At the Pokhran Field Firing Range in Jaisalmer, Rajasthan. Dronathon-2026 ran for three days, from 14 to 16 September 2026.
What is Vayu UTtaM?
An indigenously developed multi mode Unmanned Traffic Management system of the Indian Air Force. In its live demonstration at Pokhran it detected and tracked both military and civil unmanned aircraft.
Which document did the Vice Chief of the Air Staff release at Dronathon-2026?
The IAF UAS Roadmap. It tells Indian industry, academia and research bodies what capabilities the Air Force will need from unmanned airborne systems in future.
Sources
- INDIAN AIR FORCE DRONATHON - 2026 (opens in a new tab) — Press Information Bureau
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